Elon Musk’s Tesla Model 3 is most searched for EV in India — even though it hasn’t been launched in the country yet

• The Tesla Model 3 is the most searched for electric vehicle in India and around the world.
• Elon Musk, the co-founder and CEO of Tesla, has expressed interest in launching Tesla cars in India but claims the country’s restrictive policies have kept the company at bay.
• Soon after the launch of Tesla Model 3, Musk also announced that Tesla would be shutting down its showrooms to make way for online sales which should significantly cut down its costs for launching in the country.

The Tesla Model 3 is most searched for electric vehicle (EV) in India even though the car is yet to launch in the country.

And it’s not just India that’s gaga over the Tesla Model 3. It’s the most searched for car worldwide and popular in 75 countries of the 136 countries that were assessed by Compare the Market.

One of the reasons could be that it’s the least expensive Tesla car available — half the cost of the Tesla’s previous model, the Model S. But then again, Tesla has faced its fair share of controversy as well.

In fact, three of the top 5 most popular car models in the world are Tesla cars with Tesla Model S being the most search for in 18 countries and the Tesla Model X leading in 13 countries.

The base model of Tesla Model 3 costs $35,000, which is approximately ₹250,000 (₹25 lakh) but so far it has only been launched in the United States.

India's love affair will Tesla

Elon Musk, the co-founder and CEO of Tesla, has repeatedly expressed interest in bringing Tesla cars to India.

In the past, Musk claimed that the restrictive tariff policies of the country is what was keeping the billionaire from entering the world’s fourth largest automobile market but since then, the Indian government has reported been trying to woo Tesla to setup a factory in India.

Is the Tesla Model 3 coming to India?

When the Tesla Model 3 was launched, Musk announced that the car will be available worldwide — but you’ll only be able to order it online.

Tesla plans to shut down all its showrooms in the United States and other parts of the world to cut down on costs but intends to simultaneously roll out online sales in major markets.

This increases the probability of Tesla coming to India since the investment for setting up a dealer network will be cut out of the picture. But, the company will still need to set up service centres in the country because it provides ‘doorstep’ service for its cars throughout the world.

The first of the Tesla Model 3 cars will be handed over to their owners on July 28.

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